Congress celebrates National Lineworker Appreciation Day
WASHINGTON – Lineworkers from several southeast utilities joined members of Congress and the public to celebrate the emergency utility workers on Capitol Hill Wednesday where more than 100 lawmakers from both parties signed a resolution celebrating the first responders by naming July 10 National Lineworker Appreciation Day.
“We’re here to celebrate our linepeople,” said Brian Wolff, executive vice president of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), who said while utilities at times have negative perceptions among the public, “I can tell you our linemen are the most loved in the country” for the work they do restoring electric power.
Ken Cooper, international secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), explained lineworkers’ role in responding to natural disasters, which requires careful planning before embarking on reconstruction of the energy grid and measures ensuring the safety of workers. ”Job safety is so important,” he emphasized. “When we have major storms,” said Cooper, “we’re driving away from the danger while they’re driving towards it”.
More than two dozen lineworkers from several electric utility company members of the Southeastern Electric Exchange who helped rebuild power lines after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas met with lawmakers at a reception at the Rayburn House Office Building where nine house members signed the congressional resolution in person.
Lineworkers from Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL), Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, NV Energy and Pepco joined lawmakers at the reception sponsored by EEI, IBEW, the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA), and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
“We value the dedication and dangerous work that linemen do,” U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) said before signing the resolution. Sanchez, a former compliance officer and member of the IBEW’s Local 441, in Santa Ana., Calif., introduced the House resolution.
“It’s safe to say that you are the true first responders,” said U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), an IBEW electrician and a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. He touted the hard-working men and women who he said keep our country running every day. “Plus, they are quick to respond when called upon to get the power back on following hurricanes and other natural disasters.”
“People don’t understand the work you all do. People don’t understand the danger,” said U.S. Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) before signing the resolution. “I want to make sure that with this resolution we take a chance to teach people what you do.”
The reception was preceded by a “Touch the Truck” event on the west side of the Capitol which provided a chance for members of the public to meet a lineworker and see some of the equipment they use on the job.
Over the last several years, there have been several attempts in Congress to set aside a date for some type of lineworker appreciation, but the work by lineworkers to rebuild infrastructure and restore power after the recent wildfires in California, Hurricanes Florence and Michael on the Gulf and East Coasts, and debilitating blizzards and ice storms throughout the country, has lent momentum to the effort.
Sanchez said more than 100 lawmakers were expected to have signed the resolution backed by IBEW, UWUA and by the investor-owned electric companies that comprise EEI introduced Wednesday.
July 10 is a significant day for lineworkers because on that date 122 years ago the IBEW’s founder and first president, lineworker Henry Miller, was killed on the job.
“Lineworker Appreciation Day is a reminder of the sacrifices made by America’s electrical workers who perform difficult and dangerous jobs to light up this nation,” IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson, said in a statement commemorating the celebration.
